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Don’t interfere in EFCC’s investigation of Jafaru Mohammed, group tells Malami

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Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami

The National Anti- Corruption Watch (NACW) has urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami not to interfere in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s probe of Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed, the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Following Mohammed’s petition to the AGF, the group urged Malami against using his office to shield persons of interest in corruption probes from being investigated.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Aboki Sulyman, on Tuesday, the NACW said Mohammed must be accountable, especially for industrial-scale looting of the money meant for purchasing arms and military hardware under the National Security Adviser.

Rather than hamper investigation, the group urged the AGF to prevail on Jafaru Mohammed to cooperate with investigators so that he can speed up his appearance in court if indicted.

The group, however, vowed to follow up the probe, adding that it would recourse to all available legal means to ensure that justice must prevail.

Read the full statement below:

The National Anti- Corruption Watch (NACW) is concerned to learn about the petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by one Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed, the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

We are worried that, of all possible defences, Jafaru Mohammed alleged “witch-hunt and personal vendetta” as a reason for the EFCC investigation. This is nothing but a shallow attempt at turning the truth on its head.

NACW appeals to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to whom Jafaru Mohammed’s petition was addressed, not to lend his office out for shielding persons of interest in corruption probes from being investigated.

We expect the Minister of Justice and Nigerians at large to note that the kind of blackmail contained in the said petition is a staple of those that once looted this country to the point of bankruptcy. While not advocating for the rights and freedom of citizens to be arbitrarily abridged, it is pertinent to also insist that those found to have been tainted with corruption in the course of serving the country are properly investigated and tried when indicted.

Nigerians must not forget too soon that the industrial-scale looting of the money meant for purchasing arms and military hardware under the National Security Adviser, whom Jafaru Mohammed served, was responsible in large part for the security challenges facing the country today. It is therefore a travesty that the person who held the purse while our commonwealth was looted can now be alleging witch-hunt and vendetta.

NACW, therefore, calls on the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to allow the investigation of Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed to continue without distractions as this is what his petition amounts to.

Nigeria wants Malami to allow EFCC to function without Interference as this is the only approach that will enable to the country rout corruption, which has remained the greatest problem facing the country. Rather than hampering investigation into the activities of the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Attorney-General should rather prevail on Jafaru Mohammed to cooperate with investigators so that he can speed up his appearance in court if indicted.

NACW consequently puts the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice on notice that we would be closely watching the handling of Jafaru Mohammed’s petition to ensure that is it not used as smokescreen for eroding the independence of EFCC and cripple its ability to thoroughly investigate corruption. If Nigerians can establish interference on the part of the AGF, NACW will recourse to all available legal means to ensure that such unacceptable behaviour is halted before it does damage the credibility of the anti-corruption agency.

Return quarterly exercises to south-east to address insecurity, group begs COAS Yahaya, Nigerian Army

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The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen Farouk Yahaya to reintroduce special operations towards curbing the escalating rate of crime and criminalities experienced in the South-East.

The group made the call on Wednesday at a press conference comprising of stakeholders from each state in the region.

In his address titled ‘The Call for Special Operations in South-East Nigeria by the Nigerian Army’, Secretary-General, JohnBosco Ike, said this is necessary to curtail the worrisome rise in insecurity in the zone by various secessionist agitations.

Ike said they can no longer watch in silence as innocent lives are truncated for selfish reasons by a group whose agenda promotes their selfish interest to the detriment of all Igbos in Nigeria.

He noted that the urgent intervention of the Nigerian Army is necessary to restore law and order.

The group recalled the impact of army operations such as Operations Crocodile Smile and Python Dance that successfully addressed security challenges such as kidnappings, ritual killings, and other criminalities in the region.

While commending troops for previous interventions, the group vowed to stage a peaceful protest to the National Assembly and the Army headquarters in the full glare of the public if the Army fail to rescue its people.

Read the full address below:

We welcome you all to this press conference with all protocols duly observed. We recognize the presence of critical stakeholders in this press conference with gratitude given the short notice.

We must agree that events in South-East Nigeria are indeed worrisome given the acts of criminality that have gained prominence in recent times. Therefore, as concerned stakeholders in the South East region, with members representing every state in the region, called this press conference to press home demand for the immediate intervention of the Nigerian Army towards curtailing the declining state of security perpetuated by some groups and individuals whose motives remain suspect and from all indications meant to distort the socio-economic development of the South East region.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement would not watch in silence as innocent lives are truncated for selfish reasons by a group whose agenda promotes their selfish interest to the detriment of all Igbos in Nigeria.

We are worried and therefore left with no option to seek the urgent intervention of the Nigerian Army in the restoration of law and order in the South East region of Nigeria. However, we have consulted widely with our members from wide and far and conclude that there is an urgent need for the intervention of the Nigerian Army through the reintroduction of special operations.

Our considered opinion is that the reintroduction of special operations as in times past would go a long way in addressing the various secessionist agitations that are being propagated by a group of opportunists who do not mean well for the South East region.

We recall the impact of army operations such as Operations Crocodile Smile and Python Dance that successfully addresses security challenges such as kidnappings, ritual killings, and other criminalities in the South East region.

We must admit that the success of the various operations cannot be overemphasized, and the relative peace and tranquillity that pervaded the South East region as a result of the intervention was indeed welcomed by critical stakeholders, including the Igbos in Nigeria Movement.

It is, therefore, on the strength of the success of previous operations that the leadership of the Igbos in Nigeria Movement is making this passionate appeal to the leadership of the Nigerian Army to see to the reintroduction of army operations in South-East Nigeria.

This is cognizant that the South East region is presently under siege. Therefore, it will be a great disservice to the peaceful and loving people of the South East region if the leadership of the Nigerian Army does not introduce once again special operations in these trying times.

The leadership of the Nigerian Army must also realize that its previous special operations had brought about peace and stability in the region, which the people of the South East region were appreciative of.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement wish to state that should the leadership of the Nigerian Army fail to act on our request in reintroducing special operations to curb the growing tension in the South East region, we shall be left with no choice but to stage a peaceful protest to the National Assembly and the Army headquarters in the full glare of the public.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement wishes to remind the leadership of the Nigerian Army that the South East region is a part of Nigeria. As such, there should be efforts at deploying strategies towards addressing the security challenges in the region by the Nigerian Army through special operations.

The leadership of the Nigerian Army cannot feign ignorance of the security challenges in the South East region. Consequently, the leadership of the Nigerian Army cannot state that it can’t make interventions towards addressing the security challenges in the region.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement, in the light of the above, stated is making this passionate plea to the leadership of the Nigerian Army to come to the rescue of the South East region by reintroducing special operations in fairness to the people of the South East region.

Our plea is hinged on the necessity to see to the restoration of peace, which would go a long way in the socio-economic well-being of the South East region. Our faith and belief in the Nigerian Army remain sacrosanct.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement is using this medium to appreciate the leadership of the Nigerian Army for its various interventions in times past that has resulted in peace and tranquillity in the South East region.

We desire that in the coming weeks and months, the leadership of the Nigerian Army shall deem it necessary and urgent to see to the reintroduction of special operations to address the security challenges in the South East region.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement remains supportive of the operations of the Nigerian Army over the years. Consequently, our appreciation knows no bound in this regard.

At this point, we also solicit the support of other critical stakeholders to see to the materialization of this request in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

We thank you all for your time and attention.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma seeks the creation of an additional state in the South East, defends Buhari on restructuring

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Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma seeks the creation of an additional nation in the South East. He made this famous yesterday in a public hearing on the review of the constitution held in Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri.

The hearing was chaired by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Idris Wase. The governor also urged Nigerians to quit asking President Muhammadu Buhari to commence the process of restructuring the country.

According to him, “We will need to understand the nitty-gritty of our democracy and our responsibilities in the office. President Buhari has no powers to overthrow the constitution. It’s the responsibility of our parliament to amend. For example, our folks are calling for restructuring.

Uzodinma called for dialogue and a strong debate to avoid violence and insurrection. He also appealed for a”peaceful, and transparent process”, urging the committee to become vocal and give equal chance to contributors.

Read also: NYSC DG visits Uzodinma, seeks enhanced partnership with Imo

Disclosing the standing of Abia, he stated the establishment of state authorities, and restructuring has been critical.

The state also demanded increased fiscal allocation to look after earnings coming into the sub-national government. In his welcome address, Wase promised the committee would do an acceptable job, advocating the presenters to feel free to create their submissions.

Other presenters at the event included the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Imo State monarchs, represented by Eze Okeke; Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE); and leader Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice at Abia State, Theo Nkire.

 

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has restated the need for the country to regulate the social websites

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regulate the social websites

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has restated the need for the country to regulate the social websites.

The minister who talked against the background of the controversy monitoring the ban on the use of Twitter from the nation enjoined the lawmakers to grant complete regulatory powers to government over Web broadcasting and most of online media outfits.

He asserted that the country’s laws must not be subservient to global telecommunication union treaties in light of the requirement to safeguard peculiar scenarios in our country.

He also faulted moves to induce the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to pay all the money accruing to it into the federation account in compliance with Section 162 of the constitution.

Read also: Lekki massacre was only on social media —Lai Mohammed

The minister said: “We’ve got an issue with this because it isn’t in accordance with the thinking about the executive. Very soon, the NBC will depart the number of parastatals whose salaries are paid from the federal authorities. To put it differently, the NBC would have to be paying its own wages, paying for its overheads and surgeries.

“If that is the method by which in which the executive is thinking, it’ll be a draw back should at this point you pay everything to the Treasury Single Account. It means that the authorities would have to continue to pay our wages and take care of all our needs. This will defeat the aim of the national authorities that certain parastatals should contribute more to the earnings of government”

Service Chiefs, IGP arrive Maiduguri ahead of Buhari’s visit

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The Nigerian Service chiefs have arrived Maiduguri the Borno State capital ahead of the presidential one day official visit to the state.
The service chiefs along side the Inspector General of Police are led by the Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor.
They are expected to meet with top security officers at the Theatre of Operations and make arrangements for the Presidential visit.
May be an image of one or more people, people standing, military uniform and outdoors
May be an image of standing and outdoors
May be an image of one or more people, people standing, military uniform and outdoors

New Army spokesman General Nwachukwu assumes duty, calls for media support

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The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu has stated that the complex nature of security challenges being experienced in the country require a multi-disciplinary approach and the role of the media as a stakeholders is a very vital one.

Brigadier General Nwachukwu stated this during the ceremony of the formal handing and taking over ceremony of the Directorate of Army Public Relations, Army Headquarters, Abuja.

He emphasized that to surmount these challenges, the Nigeria Army and the media must be partners in progress in order to berth the peace and tranquility desire as a people and as a nation.

The new Army Director said he remains eternally grateful to God while appreciating the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya for his appointment and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor for his encouragement during his tour of duty as the immediate past Acting Director Defence Information.

“I have no doubt, in my mind of the responsibilities of my office as the Director Army Public Relations, which is summarily to project the activities of the NA with the objective of galvanizing public goodwill and support for the NA, as its strives assiduously to surmount contemporary security challenges bedeviling our nation.

Permit me to note here, that it is an indisputable and very well established fact, that the sword or gun cannot alone, provide a panacea to the complex and multifaceted security challenges that characterize today’s world”

“I must recognize the immense contributions of my boss, the immediate past Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General MM Yerima. Sir, on behalf of officers, soldiers and civilian Staff of the Directorate of Army Public Relations, I will like to appreciate you for the laudable feats recorded during your tenure. May I also assure you that I intend to consolidate on your successes. Please be rest assured that we will often times consult with you to seek your professional guidance as a seasoned Public Relations practitioner” said General Nwachukwu.

On his part, the outgoing Director, Brigadier General Yerima, was full of appreciation to the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru for the opportunity to serve as the Director Army Public Relations, and the the staff and officers for their support while requesting that the same cooperation that was given him be accorded to the new director, whom he extols as a fine public relations practitioner.

Highlights of the occasion in Abuja, was the signing of handing and taking over note by the outgoing and incoming Director.

Youth and Sports Minister inaugurates NYSC Board

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The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) remains a tool for national integration which fosters national development and unity for the benefit of Nigerian youth.

This assertion was made by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare while Inaugurating the new NYSC Board for a 3 year tenure.

According to the Minister”I wish to use this unique occasion to once again affirm the satisfaction of the Federal Government with the achievements of the present Management of NYSC, which has enhanced the visibility of the Scheme. Accordingly, I commend the Director-General, the Management team, Staff and Corps members whose collective efforts resulted in the successes recorded. I expect that members of the Board will deploy the political influence at their disposal to strengthen all levels of engagements aimed at sustaining the legacies of the scheme through continuous engagement with policy makers at various levels.”

The Minister revealed the FG Commitment not to scrap the NYSC.

“The NYSC Scheme will be sustained. It has become an integral part of our national development and unity architecture. Nigerian youth continue to benefit from this scheme.

I consider it appropriate to use this forum to once again endorse the proposal made by stakeholders for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund. I am confident that such an initiative will go a long way in strengthening the Scheme and deepen its impact. Therefore, I appeal to all and sundry to support the actualization of the proposal. As a sign of the Federal Government’s unflinching commitment to the NYSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the automatic employment of 10 direct siblings of the deceased NYSC members who lost their lives during the 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State. Mr. President also approved appropriate scholarships to the four children of Mr. Adowei Elliot”, the Minister revealed.

The Chairman of the newly Inaugurated board Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar, thanked the President for all the support given to the board.

“On behalf of the Board, I promise that we will not fail you, we will do our best because of the confidence bestowed on us. As board members, we have always been conscious of the fact that we are one of the sensitive boards because we take care of the most sensitive segments of our population , the Nigerian youths. I also urge every board member to bring in their vast experience and expertise for the benefit of the board and Nigeria.”

The Newly Inaugurated board members are:
Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar, chairman, Mrs. Binta Muazu, Maj. Gen. B O Sawyer, Architect Muhammad Sani Aliyu,
Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem,
Prince Oyekunle Oyewumi, Umar Yusuf Nalado, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi and Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, DG NYSC.

No Nigerian persecuted over religion, group replies ex-US Secretary of State

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The Young Christian Forum of Nigeria (YCFN) has rubbished a report by the former United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, wherein he alleged that 1,500 Christians was killed in the last six months.

The group, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Roland Effah, on Tuesday said no Nigerian was persecuted for their religious belief as claimed by Pompeo.

Describing the report as misleading, the YCN noted that the motive is to cause religious disharmony in the country, pitting Christians against other groups.

Effah said by this action, Pompeo has displayed his bias and irritability with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its efforts so far at ensuring religious harmony in Nigeria.

According to the Christian forum, Mike Pompeo is out on a slander campaign, given that any empirical evidence cannot back his position.

The group, therefore, advised Pompeo to consult religious stakeholders in the country whenever he feels the urge to contribute to the discourse about Nigeria and desist from illogical conclusions.

It warned the ex-US Secretary of State and his co-travellers to desist from their despicable plot as Nigerians are not that gullible not to see the handwriting on the wall.

The group, however, urged Nigerians to rise in defence of their county in these trying times and not allow despicable elements to succeed in sowing the seed of discord amongst them.

Read the full statement below:

The leadership of the Young Christian Forum of Nigeria warmly welcome all and sundry to this press conference converged in light of the recent report released by Mike Pompeo, a former secretary of state of the United States of America, wherein he mischievously alleged that Christians in Nigeria had been targeted for extinction, adding that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, is not doing enough to protect religious freedom.

The Young Christian Forum of Nigeria views such allegations as a collective insult of the sensibilities of the various religious groups in Nigeria because the report is laced with mischief and a well-orchestrated attempt at puncturing religious harmony in Nigeria.

A critical look at the report reveals that Mike Pompeo ventured into an area he lacked adequate knowledge. It is, therefore, bemusing that a former high ranking official of the United States of America could issue such a misleading report without minding the consequences of his actions on the psyche of the adherents of various religious groups in Nigeria.

Thus, our considered opinion that Mike Pompeo has, by his action, displayed his bias and irritability with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its efforts so far at ensuring religious harmony in Nigeria.

The Young Christian Forum of Nigeria also frowns at the deliberate attack on the Muhammadu Buhari led administration, where he alleged that the Buhari administration had suppressed the news of the killings of Christians by masking it as a farmer-herder crisis. This is unfortunate.

Our position remains that Mike Pompeo is out on a slander campaign, given that any empirical evidence cannot back his position. Instead, a display of ignorance and playing to the gallery with an issue of such sensitivity.

Mike Pompeo is hell-bent on sowing the seed of discord amongst the various religious groups in the country for reasons best known to him and his paymasters for whatever it is worth.

The Young Christian Forum of Nigeria uses this medium to send a message to Mike Pompeo that he can’t be more Nigerian than Nigerians. He should do well to cross-check information gleaned from blogs and his paid foot soldiers to preserve whatever is left of his reputation.

The Young Christian Forum of Nigeria wishes to advise Mike Pompeo to devout more time and energy in studying the history of the farmers-herder conflict in Nigeria to realise that it predates the Muhammadu Buhari administration. He must also do well to recognise that the press in Nigeria is vibrant, and there is no way such killings can go unreported, as he has alluded in his mischief laced report.

Consequently, the Young Christain Forum of Nigeria wishes to state unequivocal terms that no Nigerian has been denied their rights to religious beliefs or practice, nor are Nigerians persecuted because of their faith.

As members of that critical constituency, it is vital to remind Mike Pompeo to consult religious stakeholders in the country whenever he feels the urge to contribute to the discourse about Nigeria. He should desist from illogical conclusions and outright insinuations as in this case.

The Young Christian Forum states that from all indications, the overarching objective of Mike Pompeo is causing religious disharmony in Nigeria, which in our considered opinion has been on the cards since his stint as the Secretary of State in the former administration in the United States of America.

We, therefore, wish to warn Mike Pompeo and his co-travellers to desist from their despicable plot as Nigerians are not that gullible not to see the handwriting on the wall. We also advise that they channel their energies and resources towards more charitable ventures that would impact positively rather than negatively.

As critical stakeholders in Nigeria, the Young Christian Forum of Nigeria debunks the allusions made by Mike Pompeo in his report as there is no iota of truth in it. It, therefore, remains a figment of his imagination.

We, therefore, urge all religious groups in Nigeria to continue to have religious tolerance as the watchword in our quest for sustainable growth and development. We must resist the urge to fall for the disjointed narrative pushed forward by the likes of Mike Pompeo, who are ignorant and mischievous in their public posturing.

We as Nigerians must rise in defence of our county in these trying times. And never shall we allow despicable elements to succeed in sowing the seed of discord amongst us.

We thank you for your time and attention and urge you all to take this message of hope to your various constituencies. May God continue to bless Nigeria and protect us from our adversaries from near and far.

This is indeed a deliberate attempt at causing religious disharmony in Nigeria

Thank you.

Kano State government revealed that it will spend N33 million as bereaved allowances to 664 deceased civil servants

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The Kano State government yesterday revealed that it will spend at least N33 million as bereaved allowances to 664 deceased civil servants. Family members or heirs of the deceased will obtain the money. The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba stated.

Garba in a statement, disclosed that the country Executive Council (Exco) at its weekly meeting held in the Africa House, Kano gave the approval to cover”bereaved allowances.”

“The Kano State Executive Council has given approval for the fee of N33 million as bereaved allowances to 664 deceased civil servants of different grades in the country who passed out from 2017 to February 2021.

Read also: EX-AIDES SUE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS OVER N21.5M UNPAID SALARIES, ALLOWANCES

“The charge of bereaved family allowance because of their families/heirs for the civil servants who died in service is in line with extant civil service principle,” Garba stated. The Commissioner said other approvals, such as those for the payment of N80 million single-family allowances from a backlog of four decades’ bursary adjustments to the 59 MBBS, B.sc Masters and PhD. Kano State-sponsored pupils in the Near East University, Cyprus.

He stated the council also directed the authorities confirmation staff to authenticate the pupils and their academic performance before the implementation of a proposal for payment by instalments of their cumulative sum of over N1.1 billion as of November 26, 2020, to the university in 2 tranches of 50 percent.

Malam Garba announced as part of efforts to increase health care delivery services, the council has given approval for the supply of uniforms (yards) for 17, 480 members of staff of various health cadres at the cost of N194 million.

He recorded a number of the inheritance of those 2 sets of uniforms to be supplied to include physicians, nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists, technology/technical assistants, image scanning/radiographers/x-ray technicians, physiotherapists, technical assistants, dental therapists/technical assistants, and dieticians/nutritionists, amongst others.

Reverse #TwitterBan, PDP governors tell Buhari in the meeting, Ortom, Diri and others attended

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State governors elected on the stage of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have given grounds President Muhammadu Buhari should consider lifting the suspension on Twitter.

The Nigerian government recently suspended Twitter following the microblogging site deleted Mr Buhari’s tweet which it said violated its rules.

Since then Nigerians have been denied access to Twitter, except those that are using VPN along with other methods to bypass the Nigerian government’s restriction.

The PDP governors at a communique issued after his meeting Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, stated the reasons given for its government actions was”personalised”.

“The mere ego of Mr President isn’t sufficient for such a drastic action that deprives millions of Nigerians of this economical means of expression and communication,” the governors said.

Read also: Twitter: We’re Ready To Discuss With Nigerian Government

The governors said the ban would hurt fellow youth who don’t have sufficient access to labour and have been relying on Twitter to earn legitimate income.

“This will worsen Nigeria’s 33% unemployment rate which is the greatest in the world, improve Nigeria’s ranking as the country with the next highest poverty rate in the entire world, all of which occurred under APC’s unfortunate stewardship,” the governors said.

The PDP governors appealed to Mr Buhari to review the ban in the”national interest”.

The governors, who expressed fear that Mr Buhari’s administration may be sliding into dictatorship, stated”social networking regulation can only be achieved within the existing laws on the topic and shouldn’t be utilized as an effort to punish or gag Nigerians from enjoying constitutionally guaranteed rights”. The Uyo meeting was attended by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Who’s the chairman of the forum, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, who is the vice chairman, also Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State who hosted the meeting.

Douye Diri, Bayelsa; Samuel Ortom, Benue; Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Nyesom Wike, Rivers; and Oluseyi Makinde of Oyo State also attended the meeting.